The Jacklights – “Drift”
There’s a phrase I’ve known all my life that goes, “Wearing your heart on your sleeve.”
I don’t know if this is one of the many phrases I assume are still in circulation but are, in fact, “out of print”?-which is probably another one.
But the idea and image, that you could pluck your heart out and place it upon your sleeve, with the blood dripping down staining the floor or the carpet- Well, that sounds a bit middle- ages to me, kind of like “drawn and quartered.”
And if you don’t know what that phrase actually means?- consider yourself lucky.
But I also realize that “wearing your heart” means portraying your feelings, your emotions openly, to place them out in the open for all to see.
My, what an atrociously vulgar notion!
But actually, that’s a really great notion. It’s what drew me to writing, the idea you could clearly and truthfully express what you felt, what you wanted to say- what more could I ask for?
But now, I see that I’ve honestly forgotten to mention the release I’m writing about. But this is a long way around stating that the writing of Nilagia McCoy matches the full description of “wearing your heart upon your sleeve” and it is not only open and vulnerable and real but also- excellent.
This is the second release of The Jacklights and the second one I’ve reviewed. And I feel honored because, not only do they have great music and words but I feel they could have some chance of “commercial viability” or success-
That in a fair world, unlike ours, this is a band that could and would “make it.”
There is a joyful energy to their music that conjures up The Ramones along with a saddened, wistful feel in the words and vocals that produce an engaging, affecting dichotomy.
It also produces what I like most in life,- Okay, okay, next to beer! And that is art.
But never mind me with my lofty notions- just sink your teeth into these songs that are tasty nourishment for your ears:
“You said, remember how we used to drive so fast? Rolling down the windows like it would make the summer last?”
So begins “Beach” , a song that longs for a time of a peaceful, happy memory in the past that can be remembered but not returned to.
“If I could find a way to that beach where we fell asleep. I would be okay. Buried a letter, lost a treasure, for a future me. When I was young and carefree.”
The rhythm section rocks solid, the Ramones like guitars groove along, while the vocals accept a time that is yearned for but can’t be experienced anymore.
“And as we sleep, the sand erodes out to sea. I lost something. Where’d it go?”
It’s just time and life being swept out in the low tide, back to the beginning of life, back to the sea, still alive in our memories.
“If I could find a way back. It’d be okay.”
There’s no turning back the dials of a clock, the pages of a calendar, or tides of the sea-
But when you end up with a pearl of song as good as this one, then everything and everyone should be more than okay.
“Eat The Young” starts out with some bashin’, rockin’ beats along with some slashin’, sonic guitars accompanying some melodically, strong pop vocals.
“We did what you told us, followed all the rules and look where it got us… and maybe it’s true that the youth is wasted on the young. ( A quote of George Bernard Shaw but also close to one of my favorite writers, Oscar Wilde when he said, “Youth is the most beautiful thing in this world- and what a pity it has to be wasted on children.)”
“But who are you to waste lives that have only just begun?”
The words of this song reflect wisely upon how the baby boomers, of which I am one- who belittle the younger generation, while at the same time, have screwed them over leaving them with a raw deal.
But this song is the real deal, and a great one at that.
“Let’s go for a ride, nothing’s open, doesn’t matter too much where we’re going. We talked all night, sat in a parking lot, radio playing on and on and on.”
“Cheap Date” is a song where nothing much happens, or what does seem inconsequential, but reads like a wonderful short story full of hope, longing and reflection.
“I just might get my hopes up tonight, for what’s on the horizon. There’s a sliver of red light, on the edge of the night sky. We said good night and I hope you’ll call.”
This song is so supremely subtle and sublime, that it makes me envious that the words are not mine. But at least, I have my review where I can state- that this is one of the best songs, I expect, to hear this year.
I wrote earlier that this could be a band of consequence that has some chance of success.
But success means different things to different people, and I think in our society it only means something that succeeds monetarily and precludes any moral responsibility, any altruistic positive motive, any artistic
worth and ultimately, any true value.
Success appears to me, actually, winning but not receiving or delivering anything of real worth, any true riches for your ventures.
But I do feel that the songs of The Jacklights are like any true art and what it is worth is priceless. (And don’t point out to me that it says eight dollars on their bandcamp!)
‘Cause for me this release is a gift, a found treasure, a true pleasure for me to receive and I feel, it should be that way for everyone who hears it.
And that exceeds any talk of success for me.
(Slimedog)
